He is going to be IRed this year. The Giants had to waive him because since he only had three years of service, he could not go directly to IR. He would have to go to PUP and take up a roster spot. The Giants planned to cut him and then pick him up after waivers so they could IR him immediately.

Since he went through the waiver process, the Pats can IR him immediately and keep him for next year. I doubt he will see the practice field this year.

He's a restricted free agent after this year, though RFAs are not really free agents, as we learned this offseason, since nobody makes them an offer (cough, cough, collusion, cough). Maybe the Giants could make an exception, since we spoiled their plans.

But if not, the Pats pay him in 2012 and 2013 and he plays in 2013 after being on IR for a whole year, then he becomes unrestricted.

He is going to be IRed this year. The Giants had to waive him because since he only had three years of service, he could not go directly to IR. He would have to go to PUP and take up a roster spot. The Giants planned to cut him and then pick him up after waivers so they could IR him immediately.

Since he went through the waiver process, the Pats can IR him immediately and keep him for next year. I doubt he will see the practice field this year.

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I think the Patriots have to use the roster spot on him until they are allowed to IR without waivers. I don't think they can IR him without waiving him themselves.

I think the Patriots have to use the roster spot on him until they are allowed to IR without waivers. I don't think they can IR him without waiving him themselves.

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That's true, but with there now being a 90-man roster (including everyone) rather than the old 80-man roster (not counting unsigned draftees), does that matter? Don't players placed on IR still count against the 90-man roster limit?

He is going to be IRed this year. The Giants had to waive him because since he only had three years of service, he could not go directly to IR. He would have to go to PUP and take up a roster spot. The Giants planned to cut him and then pick him up after waivers so they could IR him immediately.

Since he went through the waiver process, the Pats can IR him immediately and keep him for next year. I doubt he will see the practice field this year.

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He was actually pretty good last year, made them not miss Kevin Boss so much. Worth stashing away and taking a flyer on in the future, I guess. Can't really get much lower risk than this, at least.

Not a surprise considering that Belichick always has interest in players who have done well against the Patriots and if anyone forgot the last Regular Season loss at Gillette in over 3 seasons came at the hands of the Giants who won on a last second TD.

....and that winning last second TD was caught by none other than Mr. Ballard

He became a pretty solid TE during the season, if he returns to form in 2013 that's one hell of a 3rd TE, and him and Gronk on the field at the same time would provide many options with both being 6'6 265ish.